(a) The council for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing shall recommend to the governor an executive director and shall fix the executive director's duties and responsibilities. The executive director shall serve as executive officer and secretary to the council and shall be a full-time employee of the council. Compensation for the executive director shall be established by the council with the approval of the commissioner of human resources. All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.

(b) The executive director, with the advice and consent of the council, may, to the extent of available funds, plan and oversee the establishment of service centers for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing, as well as, or in addition to, support and coordinate the activities of the existing centers in cooperation with the local board of directors.

(c) The executive director, with the advice and consent of the council, shall:

(1) Promote accessibility of all governmental services to deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing citizens in Tennessee;

(2) Identify agencies, both public and private that provide community services, evaluate the extent to which they make services available to deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing people, and cooperate with the agencies in coordinating and extending these services;

(3) Encourage the mutual exchange of ideas and information on services for deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing people between federal, state and local governmental agencies, and private organizations and individuals;

(4) Survey the needs of people who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing in Tennessee, and assist the council in the preparation of its report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives;

(5) Develop a strategy to create minimum standards for all sign language interpreters in Tennessee and make recommendations on how to implement these strategies to appropriate state departments, the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives and general assembly;

(6) Promote the training of interpreters for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing; and

(7) Perform such other duties as may be required by law.

(d) In selecting an executive director, the council shall select an individual who is fluent in the American sign language of the deaf and otherwise qualified.

(e) The executive director is authorized to arrange for such clerical or other assistance as may be required and as approved by the council.